© 2003, Guidry News
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© 2003, Guidry News
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Galveston Mayor Roger Quiroga "threw out the peace blanket" in an appeal to members of the Galveston fire union and City Manager Steve LeBlanc to work together to resolve their disagreements without public fights. Most of the council workshop and regular meeting were taken up with discussion of an efficiency study by consultant Shan English. A major recommendation by English is to use "Quint" trucks, smaller vehicles that provide five services: transport water, carry hoses, carry booster tanks, carry ground ladders and carry a 75-foot aerial ladder. Firefighter
President Charles Olsen said he agreed with 80 percent of
the English's recommendations, but has reservations about
taking some equipment out of service, calling it "ludicrous
to take a ladder truck off the floor.” "My main concern with it is that the report cost us $49,000 for a whole lot of copies and a whole lot of opinions, and y'all have a lot of those," said former fire chief Danny Weber. "And it was all done under the auspices of fiscal prudence. Seems like a bit of an oxymoron to me." "We have the seed of some momentum starting today," said City Council Member Joe Jaworski, calling for outside help to resolve fire issues. "It seems to me that we could spend a little money hiring some professional form of mediation that could assist Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Olsen, and anybody else who needs to be at the table, so that this fractured relationship that has so much work to be done could move forward in a professional and non-violent manner." Jaworski said he has recently witnessed firefighters in action and had praise for the work of the public safety personnel. Council Member Booker Price called for changes in the procedures to hire new firefighters. "When we get to hiring, let's hire some minorities in these public safety (positions) because, in my opinion it has been neglected." Charles Olsen, president of the firefighters' union, agreed with Price, saying that the racial makeup of the fire department should match the city. "It doesn't come near to representing our community," Olsen said. "We were hopeful that when we did get adequately staffed, we could try to address that." The city council approved an agreement with Amtrak for a Mardi Gras excursion train from the Clear Lake area. The city council voted to expand the east end parking regulations to the 19th Street area near the Courthouse. The city council established a 180-day moratorium on "Eight Liner" gaming devices. The city council approved interlocal agreements with Galveston County and Navigation District 1 for Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 11, the East Beach twin condominium development; and an agreement with the Galveston Island Redevelopment Authority in conjunction with the operation of the zone. The city council deferred action on a financing plan for TIRZ 11. The city council approved the list of appointments to the Galveston County United Board of Health that is being reviewed by area governments. All other agenda items were approved. All votes were unanimous. The city council met in workshop with downtown merchants about parking meters. "Our goal is to make the parking meter system more user friendly without having a negative impact on revenue," said Fred Wichlep, executive director of the Historic Downtown Strand Partnership. Santa
Fe City Council Santa Fe City Council voted Thursday night to repeal a zoning ordinance and map known as the Santa Fe United Development Code or Ordinance No. 04-96.
The city council adopted the Santa Fe Comprehensive Plan, a long-range master plan package with components consisting of a thoroughfare plan, a land usage plan and goals and policies for the growth and development of the city.
The city council voted to authorize an agreement with Habitat for Horses, Inc., a non-profit equine rescue operation based in Hitchcock, that assists with the seizure and recuperation of abused and/or abandoned horses.
The city council approved an ordinance that prohibits motor vehicles and boats from producing wakes when traveling flooded streets. This ordinance provides for fines up to $500 for each violation.
The city council endorsed appointments and reappointments to the Galveston County United Board of Health.
The city council voted unanimously to reappoint Oscar Arvidsson and Rusty Rothermel to the electrical board. All agenda items were approved. All votes were unanimous Kemah
City Council Kemah City Council unanimously approved a set-back variance of five feet for the new structure at 811 Bradford, as requested by Jesse Jones of Jesse Jones and Associates, Inc. In addition, detailed drawings of the new building were presented to the council. The city council authorized the use of hotel occupancy funds for items related to the Travel/Leisure Show. Sandra Williams, president of the Kemah Merchant’s Association, appeared before the city council in support of the action. The city council endorsed the H-DFW Transportation Alliance in its efforts "to obtain additional transportation funding for metropolitan regions in Texas and the preservation of urban mobility." Council Member Kelly J. Williams announced that Kemah Kids’ Day will return this year and that a date should be set by February. Williams stated that future information could be found at the city’s website and that volunteers will be needed.Clear Creek Independent School District The Clear Creek Independent School District Facilities Needs Committee, a citizen group formed to review the needs of the district, has been meeting since September of 2002. Committee members investigated four areas: New Facilities – Instructional; New Facilities – Support; Priority Maintenance; and Technology. A list of preliminary recommendations for items to be included in a possible school bond referendum that includes new schools, expanded support facilities, necessary repairs to existing buildings, and continued improvements in technology, has been developed. Three public hearings have been scheduled to provide members of the community an opportunity to review the findings of the committee and to give their input. The hearings will have the following format: First, committee recommendations will be presented. Then community members can present their comments. Comments will be limited to two minutes per person. FNC members and CCISD staff will be present to answer questions. Following receipt of input from the public hearings, the committee will present their recommendations to the Clear Creek ISD Board of Trustees for consideration. The
public hearings are currently scheduled for: For more information, visit www.ccisd.net or call the Clear Creek ISD Office of Public Information at (281) 338-5803. College of the Mainland's Multi-Culture Team has scheduled a Robert Burns' Birthday Celebration on Thursday, January 23rd at 12:30 p.m. in the Student Center. Burns is Scotland's most famous poet and the author of "The Lea Rig", Tam O'Shanter" and "Red, Red Rose". Burns also composed the famous song "Auld Lang Syne". In addition to Burns' poetry, St. Thomas Episcopal School Bagpipers Band and Dancers will perform. Admission is free and lunch will be provided. The public is invited. For more information, contact Tillie Henson at (409) 938-1211, extension 205 or (888) 258-8859, extension 205. Galveston Independent School District Ball High School student Jessica Dallas, who is researching the background of several issues related to the history of Ball High, is holding a question and answer session on Wednesday, January 15, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Ball High School Lecture Room, 4115 Avenue O. Dallas is writing a story that will cover the background of the Tuffy the Tornado mascot, how the school colors were chosen, who wrote the school song and where all of our school "spirit" originates. She would like to interview former students who graduated between 1966 through 1970. Information will be printed in the February issue of the Ball Hi-lights. For information, call Dallas or Shannon Hall at (409) 766-5769. The City of Kemah and Krewe du Lac have announced the first annual Krewe du Lac Mardi Gras Truck Parade in Kemah at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, 2003. Individuals, schools, groups and businesses are encouraged to decorate their vehicles with the Rainforest theme or traditional Mardi Gras colors. The parade route will line up on the ramp beneath the bridge and will travel on 6th Street to Harris Avenue, to 7th Street, Bradford Street, 4th Street, and along 9th Street. Participation is free, but pre registration is recommended. On line registration is at www.kemah.net. Click on KREWE DU LAC TRUCK PARADE. Registration can be done also at Kemah City Hall, 1401 Highway 146, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Late registration will be accepted at the parade line up, under the bridge on the day of the parade, beginning at 2:00 p.m. For more information, call (281) 339-2727 or visit www.KreweDuLac.org. Scheduled
Meetings
Friday, January 10 Sunday,
January 12
Monday,
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